Display container



13 11934., B, E mm-m psgm 11 95@ 8H@ DISPLAY CONTAINER Filed Sept. 25. 1930 5 55 E Rickardson.

Patented Mar. 13, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT; OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to cartons, and more particularly to cartons which are adapted for display purposes.

An object of the invention is the provision of l a display carton particularly adapted for use as a Christmas packet for containing such small articles as hard candies, a handkerchief, or the like.

Another object is to provide a carton as above described, the outstanding feature of which is that its body portion simulates a well known figure, preferably that of a real or fictitious human being, or of an animal, and in which the figure carries a burden, this burden being defined by a pouch adapted to retain the article of articles disposed within the carton.

Another object is to so construct the carton that it may be stamped from a single sheet of material and subsequently folded to the configuration of the ultimate carton. Hence, a large number of the cartons in unfolded arrangement may be stacked one upon the other, so as to occupy a relatively small space.

A further object is to so design the carton that the pouch when partially or completely filled, separates the front and back portions of the carton at its base, so as to expand the base to a substantial area making the carton self-supporting.

The invention possesses other objects and advantageous features, some of which, with those enumerated, will be set forth in the following description of the inventions particular embodiments which are illustrated in the drawing accompanying and forming a part of the specification.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a view in front elevation, of a carton incorporating the principles of the present 40 invention, the carton being shown in assembled relation.

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation, also with the carton in assembled relation.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but showing a slightly modified form of the carton unfolded to permit it to lie fiat.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken upon the line 4- l of Fig. 2, with the direction of 50 view as indicated and showing how the front and rear portions of the carton are held separated by the pouch when partially or completely filled.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, but showing the modified form of carton illustrated upon Fig. 3, wherein a fiap is provided to hold the carton expanded at its base when the pouch is emptied. a

In terms of broad inclusion, the carton of the present invention comprises front and rear panels preferably joined along their lateral o edges and having a pouch disposed therebetween adapted to receive small articles. The front and rear panels cooperate in the simulation of a figure, preferably animated, such as that of a human being, either real or imaginary, and the pouch is exposed behind the front panel and is so formed that it simulates a burden carried by the figure.

Specifically describing that embodiment of my invention which at present appears to be the 7' most desirable, the carton comprises front and rear panels 6 and 7 respectively, joined along their lateral edges 8 and having a pouch 9 of suitable flexible material disposed therebetween.

I prefer, however, to employ for the material of 75' which the pouch 9 is composed, a relatively coarse mesh or a flexible, relatively thin and transparent ester of cellulose used either alone or with a relatively coarse fabric mesh embedded therein. The use of such materials in the condo struction of the pouch 9, makes the pouch at least semi-transparent, permitting observation of the article or articles contained therein, through the material of which the pouch is composed.

Both the front and rear panels 6 and '7 respectively, are formed from a single blank 11 of suitable material such as a good grade of cardboard. The front panel 6 is cut so as to define the contour of a human figure, preferably that of Santa Claus inasmuch as the carton is designed primarily for use as a Christmas packet. This figure is portrayed by printing or otherwise, upon the front of the front panel 6, as clearly shown upon Fig. 1. However, instead of having 5 the lower portion 12 of the panel 6 conform to the configuration of the legs of the figure depicted upon the panel 6, I prefer to extend the edges 8 straight downwards to define a substantially rectangular construction, the space not occupied by the depiction of the legs of the figure, showing an assortment of toys 13 or the like, thus giving the figure the appearance of standing in a collection of such articles. The head 14 is out lined and depicted by an extension 16 at the top 05 of the front panel 6, and inasmuch as I prefer to omit any such extension from the rear panel 7, the back of the head 14 is depicted upon the after surface of the extension 16 of the front panel 6, as best shown upon Fig. 3.

plane of the front panel into position to extend The rear panel 7 which, as explained hereinabove, is joined along its lateral edges to the front panel 6, is made up of preferably four tabs 17, 18, 19, and 20, extending laterally from the side edges of the front panel prior to folding the carton to assembled relation. Each of the tabs 17 to 20 inclusive, may be bent back at the side edge 8 of the front panel, so as to define a substantially tubular construction encircling the lower portion of the pouch 9. Each of the tabs 18 and 20 is provided with a tongue 21, 22 respectively, receivable within slits 23 and 24 respectively, formed in the tabs 1'7 and 19 respectively, whereby the opposed tabs may be releasably joined to retain them in such tubular arrangement. The upper edges 26 of the tabs 1'7 and 18, are cut to the configuration of the shoulders 27 of the figure depicted upon the front panel 6, and the back of that figure is depicted upon all of the tabs forming the sections of the rear panel 7, which thus. cooperate whenassembled, to complement the figure outlined by and depicted upon the front panel 6. A ribbon 28 may be rove through suitably positioned apertures 29 and 31 in the upper tabs 1'7 and 18, the ends of the ribbon 28 extending outside of the tabs and the portion 32 of the ribbon which is disposed between the apertures 29 and 31, passing between the pouch 9 and the front panel 6. This ribbon cooperates with the tongues 21 and 22 in holding the carton in assembled relation, inasmuch as theends of the ribbon may be tied together at the back, to hold the upper sections 17 and 18 of the rear panel 21 together and against the back of the pouch 9.

I Preferably the pouch 9 is permanently attached adjacent the side edges of the front panel 6 as by a plurality of metal clips 36. The pouch 9 extends upwards beyond the top of the cardboard portion of the carton, so that the top of the pouch is exposed to view, with the result that it presents the appearance of a sack or similar burden carried bythe depicted and outlined figure. I prefer to have shoulder straps 3'7 also depicted upon at least the front panel 6, presenting the appearance when the carton is viewed from the front, that the shoulder straps 37 pass over the shoulders 2'7 of the figure and engage the pouch 9 to serve as the support therefor. i

' Since the pouch 9 is disposed between the front and rear panels 6 and 7, any articles such as pieces of hard candy 38 disposed Within the pouch, will hold the front and rear panels separated. This separation will occur at the bottom of the carton whether the pouch 9 is completely or only partially filled, and will so expand the base of the carton that it is capable of supporting itself in an erect position. However, in view of the fact that it might be desirable to have a carton so arranged that it can support itself erect even when empty, a slight modification. of the carton is illustrated upon Figs. 3 and 5, wherein a substantially triangular tab 39 is formed as an extension at the bottom of the front panel. This tab may be bent into perpendicularity with the toward the rear panel so as to hold the two panels separated, and thus attain the same result as providing the candies 38 or other articles within the pouch 9.

Inasmuch as the rear panel '7 is divided horizontally by a space 41 between the upper sections 17, 18, and the lower sections 19, 20, the rear panel 7 is permitted to conform itself to irregularities of configuration of the pouch 9,

which will result from filling it with articles of odd sizes and shapes. Hence, the pouch 9 may be filled with such articles that it is more or less rounded, being somewhat thicker at its center portion than at its extreme lower end, without interfering with the normal engagement of the side sections constituting the rear panel '7.

Another advantage of constructing the rear panel 7 into upper and lower sections lies in the fact that it permits the lower section to encircle the lower portion of the pouch 9, furnishing the easel support as hereinabove described, whereas the upper section may be folded between the pouch and front panel 6. Under such circumstances the upper clips 36 fastening the pouch to the front panel, would be omitted, and the ribbon if rove through the holes 29 in such a manner that the ends thereof would encircle the pouch 9 above the top of the contents thereof. This will close the neck of the pouch, thus retaining its contents against inadvertent displacement and cause the pouch to bulge out over the upper edge of the lower sections, enhancing the simulation of a sack carried on the back of the figure.

The carton of the present invention is designed primarily for use as a Christmas packet to contain articles for sale, or as a wrapper for small gifts. It is particularly adaptable for use as a container for hard candies, or a necktie, when such articles are presented to a child, because the carton presents the appearance that the gift is carried by the figure depicted upon and outlined by the cardboard portion of the carton.

It is to be understood that the details of the invention as herein disclosed, are subject to alteration within the spirit or scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A display container comprising a front panel formed in the shape of an animated figure, a rear panel joined along its lateral edges to said front panel and complementing said figure, and a pouch disposed between said panels and adapted when partially filled to hold them apart to expand the base of said container, said rear panel being divided vertically into sections detachably connected together whereby said rear panel sections may be unfolded into alignment with said front panel.

2. A display container comprising a front panel formed in the shape of a human figure, a rear panel joined along its lateral edges to said front panel and complementing said figure, and a pouch disposed between said panels and adapted when partially filled to hold them apart to expand the base of said container, said rear panel being divided horizontally into upper and lower sections independent of each other permitting said rear panel to conform itself to irregular configuration of said pouch. 3. A display container comprising a front panel formed in the shape of a human figure, a rear panel joined along its lateral edges to said front panel and complementing said figure, and a pouch disposed between said panels and adapted when partially filled to hold them apart to expand the base of said container, said rear panel being divided horizontally into upper and lower sections independent of each other permitting said rear panel to conform itself to irregular configuration of said pouch, and each of said upper and lower sections being divided vertically into side sections detachably connected together whereby said sections may be unfolded into alignment with said front panel.

to expand and space the centers of the front and back panels to form a base, the front panel having a bottom flap hingedly connected to the bottom edge thereof adapted to be folded rearwardly to engage the rear panel and to space the centers of the panels to cause them to form a base when the container is empty.

BESS EVELYN RICHARDSON. 

